Reduced emissions method of cleaning hydrocarbon separator and storage tanks

Abstract

A method for cleaning a storage tank, comprising isolating the tank; creating a vortex within the tank by pumping fluid through one or more nozzles disposed within the tank, thereby dislodging sediment within the tank; and connecting a suction source to a drain located on a bottom of the tank, thereby removing the fluid and sediment without exposure to air. Each nozzle may comprise one or more sub-nozzles positioned to direct fluid flow to assist in creation of the vortex and removal of the fluid and sediment. A storage tank, comprising one or more nozzles disposed within the tank such that fluid may be pumped through the nozzles to create a vortex within the tank; and a drain line located on a bottom of the tank such that a suction source may be connected and contents of the tank removed without exposure to air.

1 . A method for cleaning a storage tank, comprising:
 isolating the tank;   creating a vortex within the tank by pumping fluid through one or more nozzles disposed within the tank, thereby dislodging sediment within the tank; and   connecting a suction source to a drain located on a bottom of the tank, thereby removing the fluid and sediment from the tank without exposure to air.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein isolating the tank comprises closing all lines into and out of the tank under a predetermined height except for the one or more nozzles and wherein the predetermined height is determined based on at least an anticipated height of sediment build-up and an anticipated volume of fluid needed to dislodge the sediment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more nozzles comprise three nozzles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tank is cylindrical and the three nozzles are placed 120 degrees apart around a wall of the tank. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise one or more sub-nozzles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise two sub-nozzles. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a first sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow perpendicular to a wall of the tank. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a second sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow 22.5 degrees inward towards a center of the tank compared to the first sub-nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tank is included in a tank battery and wherein the tank is cleaned without affecting operation of other tanks in the tank battery. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more nozzles are disposed within the tank at a height of six inches from the bottom of the tank. 
     
     
         11 . A storage tank, comprising:
 one or more nozzles disposed within the tank such that fluid may be pumped through the one or more nozzles to create a vortex within the tank; and   a drain line located on a bottom of the tank such that a suction source may be connected and contents of the tank removed without exposure to air.   
     
     
         12 . The storage tank of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more nozzles comprise three nozzles. 
     
     
         13 . The storage tank of  claim 12 , wherein the tank is a cylinder and the three nozzles are placed 120 degrees apart around a wall of the tank. 
     
     
         14 . The storage tank of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more nozzles each comprise two sub-nozzles. 
     
     
         15 . The storage tank of  claim 14 , wherein a first sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow perpendicular to a wall of the tank. 
     
     
         16 . The storage tank of  claim 15 , wherein a second sub-nozzle is positioned to direct fluid flow 22.5 degrees inward towards a center of the tank compared to the first sub-nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The storage tank of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more nozzles are disposed within the tank at a height of six inches from a bottom of the tank. 
     
     
         18 . A nozzle assembly for cleaning a storage tank, the nozzle assembly comprising one or more nozzles configured to be located within the storage tank such that a fluid pumped through the one or more nozzles will induce a vortex within the storage tank. 
     
     
         19 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 18 , wherein each of the one or more nozzles comprises one or more sub-nozzles. 
     
     
         20 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 19 , wherein each of the one or more sub-nozzles is positioned to aid in inducement of the vortex within the storage tank.